Top 14: High-flying Racing-Métro 92
hit by Mathieu Lorée's cannabis confession
08 December
2009
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Racing-Métro 92:
Unwanted high |
Racing-Métro 92 scrum-half Mathieu Lorée, 22, is
facing a three-month ban from rugby after admitting that he
smoked cannabis.
Lorée,
who has been instrumental to Racing's current eight-match
winning streak, came forward to club officials after he was
drug-tested at the end of the recent 20-18 home victory
against Stade Francais.
Racing
have already banned the player, with a league disciplinary
hearing sure to follow. SU Agen's Fijian winger Rupeni
Caucaunibuca admitted a similar offence .. and was suspended
for three months.
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Racing head
coach Pierre Berbizier appears to be standing by his young
star, but acknowledged he would have to face the
consequences of his actions.
"Coming to
confess his error, Mathieu has made the right choice," he
said. "It is not for us to penalize the career of a young
hope but to defend the values of rugby and Racing's
educational values. We must convey a clear message to all
young people who have a responsibility. The high level
requires impeccable cleanliness and conduct above reproach.
I'm sure Mathieu will retain the lesson and accompany us in
this difficult time."
Lorée has
formed a potent half-back combination with Jonathan
Wisniewski in recent weeks as he competes with Jerome Fillol
and Australian Nic Berry for the No 9 shirt. After an
undistinguished campaign in ProD2 last season the young
scrum-half has surprised even himself with the amount he has
played in Top 14 so far this season - although that will
obviously change now.
"I worked
hard technically but also in the running game as I
progressed physically. Until now I was playing for fun with
my friends in the Espoirs. This season I approached it more
seriously," he admitted recently.
Five players
were suspended for smoking cannabis during the 2007/8 season
in France, and all were handed three-month bans. Similarly,
Caucaunibuca was sidelined for three months for a similar
offence in 2006/7.
While
cannabis remains an illegal drug there is no question of it
being performance enhancing, a fact that has been recognised
in France by the relatively lenient penalties handed out in
recent seasons.
Lorée has
played five games for Racing this season, scoring one try.
That's two more games than in 2008/9.
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